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Help! First Time in Paris (Itinerary for Paris Nuit Blanche + First Sunday in October)

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Hi! Sorry in advance for the long post & thank you! My boyfriend and I are going to Paris from Sat, Oct 4 (arrive at around 5PM) to Oct 8 (heading to BCN at around 130PM) Nuit Blanche is on Oct 4 going into Oct 5 AM and Oct 5 is the first sunday meaning free museums, or at least that's my understanding. Anyone have any experience? we'd like to do as much as realistically possible but some things specifically are:
Lourve
Arc de Triomphe
Tour de Notre Dame
Musee D'Orsay
Eiffel Tower
Canal Saint Martin
Sacre Coeur
Pere-Lachaise Cemetery
Seine river cruise
visit the different neighborhoods
eat everything
shop

I can't seem to figure it out based on white night, first sundays, and museum closures. Can anyone help with an itinerary and/or any advice for white night/free museums? How long are the lines on those kind of days? Would the museum pass still be worth it for the remaining days? Am I missing any must do/see things? I left out Versailles because it didn't seem possible.

Just to note we are both in our late 20's. Not huge on night life. Generally speedy attraction-viewers.

Thank you for taking the time for my post
Ann

Posted by
22 posts

We've been in Paris during Nuit Blanche on several occasions. We are not late nite owls and did not go into any of the museums. Most of the activities are big illuminating light displays on the buildings. It is very fun to stroll around and get some nice night photos if you use a tripod or mini tripod. The displays are different each year depending on the artists. One of our favorites were the naves inside Notre Dame. The colored lights almost made the statues seem real, while Gergorian chants were being sung. Check the Nuit Blanche website for details on specific sites. It was fun enjoy it and the crowds were not rowdy.

Linda

Posted by
8035 posts

We arrived in Paris on one Nuit Blanche and mostly just wandered around the neighborhood we stayed in in the 17th -- it was fun. Here are a few snapshots of our very limited participation in it.
http://janettravels.wordpress.com/2011/10/05/nuit-blanche-white-night-all-night-paris-art-festival/

The most expensive way to see a major Paris museum is to go on Free Sunday. If you do choose to do that, at least pick less popular museums. Your time is the most valuable thing you have on an expensive trip to Paris, don't waste it standing in long lines to save a trifling amount. The Louvre does not do free Sundays during tourist season; I don't know if October is still in that window, but October is still a popular time for tourists and I would avoid the Louvre on a free day.

Posted by
16893 posts

Everyone's feet have some limit on how long the can stand in museums each day. And while the opportunity to stay out late is attractive, you'll probably end up sleeping later the next day. So I tend to think that "overdoing it" one day may just be robbing from the next day. Mention your plan to hotel reception before leaving; some staff might be "on duty" but also napping. Some small places (e.g., Hotel Jean Bart) don't have overnight staff and don't give you a door key without prior arrangement.

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